Bar Gonzo Brings the ‘70s Back to Hell’s Kitchen

Bar Gonzoopened last week with a preview event for media on Wednesday that Socially Superlative was lucky enough to get a sneak peak of. The space, a stone’s throw from Times Square, evokes the feeling of the ‘70s with neon signs, tiki type décor and an array of characters providing entertainment.

The space itself is dual level, where those who want a sit down dinner can dine downstairs and those looking for a livelier experience can head upstairs to the 360-degree bar area with a retractable roof. You know this is the place everyone will be come next summer!

To create the full experience, a woman with a glowing hoola hoop did tricks as a tall woman with platforms and wings danced around to a singer a la Janis Joplin crooning out covers. According to the team behind the restaurant, a fully immersive experience will be the constant here.

None of this is a surprise given Chef R.L. King has been attached to such projects as the Heath and Gallow Green at the McKittrick Hotel. The quality of the food also was a given based on his involvement in well-known restaurants like il Buco, Hundred Acres and Five Points.

The food menu is comprised of bar snacks and sharable plates and compliments this idea of a tiki backyard environment with bar snacks with fun categories like Savage Henry Things on Sticks and Latch Key Kid Pizza. The menu is is inspired by coastal California and Mediterranean flavors, and ingredients are seasonal and sourced responsibly.

Drinks crafted by Tim Cooper were dangerously good. The drinks being offered that evening, expertly prepared for me by bartender Natalia, were the Gonzo 365 Sangria, the Jasmine Bellini Blossom made with jasmine tea, and my favorite, a Root Beer Manhattan. The full menu will offer a variety of sparkling cocktails and large-format punches all served in fun glassware as a nod to the time period.

Word on this venue is spreading fast, so I would get your Insta ready and head over for some perfect photo ops that will help you time travel without stepping a foot out of the city.